Ten steps to rocking a soccer tournement

We have never done the tournament thing before. I did not play any team sports outside of school growing up and SuperDad had hours and hours of farm chores that he never got to play team sports either. We are both learning (and loving) this team sport thing. This long weekend was little brother's first time travelling away for a soccer tournament and it was amazing. We are new to thing but this how you rock a soccer tournament...

Step 1: Get them started when they are young...like really young (throwback of the boys back when they were 5 years old)

Step 2: Make sure your best friends and those awesome coaches are there for the next 4 years 

Step 3: Focus on development. Learn your positions, positions and foundations of solid team work. Practice in all weather conditions -even when it's pouring rain or snowing sideways.

Step 4:  Enter the team in the KYSA Slurpee Cup tournament in Kamloops 

Step 5: Focus on stamina and determination. Keep hammering that ball towards the net.

Eventually the ball will make it in the  net ….

Step 6: Put the best shooters in the striker position and watch them keep putting goals in. Like a lot. They beat the Prince George Timberwolves  11-2 and beat the Kamloops Blaze 10-1. 

Step 7: Celebrate a teammate’s birthday in between games 

Step 8: Run around with laser guns at the park when you’re not running around with the soccer ball (because these boys have endless energy)

Step 9: Win ALL the games in the tournament

Step 10: Celebrate like champions 

This tournament is special because it's the end of an era. Now that these boys are all turning 10 this year, they won't automatically be together on the same team. We all did assessments with different leagues and this group of boys won't be on the same team ever again. It's been an amazing 4 years and a joy to watch our little guy grow up and develop stamina, perseverance and sportsmanship. What an amazing tournament to mark the end four years of soccer with his best friends.